No increase in tuk tuk fares AITWDU urges govt. to raise fuel quota

• With the increase in taxes, the three-wheeler drivers are facing  numerous difficulties in getting their vehicles repaired, serviced and  maintained

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Even though the price of a litre of Octane 92 petrol increased by Rs. 30, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) said yesterday that they have taken a decision not to revise the three-wheeler fares, but urged the government to increase the fuel quota.  

 Union President Lalith Dharmasekera told the Daily Mirror that the said decision was taken to protect the passenger and for the sake of the three-wheeler taxi service.  

“The consumers feel inconvenienced after increasing the price of essential commodities such as petrol. That will directly affect the passengers who use the three-wheelers to facilitate their transport,” he said.  

With the increase in taxes, the three-wheeler drivers are facing numerous difficulties in getting their vehicles repaired, serviced and maintained.  

 Recently, on three occasions, the petrol price was reduced by Rs. 100, but we did not reduce the taxi fares.  

Therefore, the same decision has been made not to make price revisions, even though the price increased by Rs. 30, Dharmasekera said.  

However, with the recent government tax, a significant number of passengers lament that they had to cut down using three-wheelers in order to avoid being taxed.  
If any three-wheeler driver increases the fare, he will help ruin his own job.   

The Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union President urged the government to increase their fuel quota and include it in the Fuel Pass System similar to the way that the government increased 
the fuel price.

•  If any three-wheeler driver increases the fare, he will help ruin his own job